49ers Training Camp Day 5: Deebo Samuel Sr. Returns, While Defense and Tight Ends Take Focus

The San Francisco 49ers returned to the SAP Performance Facility on Saturday for Day 5 of Training Camp presented by Visa, staging their second padded practice as part of NFL Network’s “Back Together Weekend.” The most notable storyline of the day was Deebo Samuel Sr.’s return to the practice field in red and gold after signing a one-year deal, a moment that drew attention from both teammates and coaches as the offseason work moved deeper into the padded phase.

According to the 49ers, Samuel and linebacker Dre Greenlaw spoke after practice about rejoining an organization they both call home. That kind of post-practice connection is often a useful marker early in camp, especially for veteran players integrating back into daily routines and communication rhythms, when practices become more physical and the coaching points sharpen.

The team’s session also highlighted key work across the roster. Alongside Samuel’s return, the 49ers noted the secondary and tight ends as prominent areas of focus during the padded work. In camp structure, those themes typically reflect an emphasis on coverage responsibilities and timing routes in the passing game, while tight-end reps often span both route running and run-game details.

For the 49ers, Deebo’s presence carries practical value beyond optics. Samuel’s return to practice after a new one-year agreement matters because camp reps are where offensive communication, spacing, and adjustment reads are built, particularly when practices become padded and defenders can match speed with contact. With the regular season still ahead, Saturday’s reappearance meant the coaching staff could continue stacking full-team and position-unit work with a core offensive playmaker back in the mix.

Dre Greenlaw’s camp return as a topic also matters for the defense’s day-to-day organization. The 49ers singled out the secondary and indicated Greenlaw was among those making the day’s leadership presence felt through his post-practice comments. In practice terms, linebackers and defensive communication partners set the tone for coverage shells and run fits, and camp is where those shared expectations are tested repeatedly.

From here, the immediate thing to watch is how quickly the 49ers’ offense and Samuel’s role settle into the camp cadence now that he is again participating on the field. With padded practices underway, subsequent days typically bring increased live repetitions, more challenging opponent looks within practice, and sharper evaluations of timing and execution. The team’s next sessions will also show how the tight-end group builds continuity with the quarterbacks and how the secondary carries forward the defensive focus the 49ers emphasized on Saturday.

The broader camp context is that NFL teams are using early padded weeks to iron out fundamentals that show up in the final preseason decisions and, ultimately, season-long matchups. With Deebo’s return marking a key personal milestone and the defense and tight ends getting singled out as emphasis areas, Day 5 offered both a headline moment and a practical snapshot of where San Francisco is investing attention in this stage of camp.